Additional Growth Scans

[WorthyPisces]

Hello! I’m new to the forums and I’ve been having a read and found lots of useful experiences shared.

I’m currently 26 weeks pregnant. I was told at my 16 week appointment that I would need additional growth scans due to my BMI. I went to book them in at 20 weeks, the receptionist at the antenatal clinic said she’d book them in. I hadn’t heard anything until last week when a woman called me and arranged to book them in for 28, 32 and 36 weeks.

Today I’ve had 4 hospital letters come. 3 for ultrasound scans at 32, 35 and 36 weeks and then another appointment at 35 weeks which doesn’t state what it’s for, only it has the name of a consultant?

Has anyone had additional growth scans on the weeks mine have been scheduled for? And does anyone have any idea what the additional appointment may be for?

I have a midwife appointment late next week where I’ll ask about them, but my midwife and my hospital are in different counties so they’re working across boarders and aren’t always 100% sure what the other is doing…

Any insight would be great! Thanks.

I did very similar growth scans, possibly exactly the same but I forget. Mine were for a suspected growth restricted baby who was indeed until right near the end!

I had a consultant appt at each one and I remember my 36 week one was meant to be to get me prepped for induction at 37 weeks but she'd had a spurt so that appointment instead was the consultant signing us off back to the midwives!

Honestly don't worry, any extra monitoring is likely to be useful and it won't hurt if not 🙂

At my hospital the growth scans have to be at least 2 weeks apart or it's too close. I would ring and check the 35 and 36 ones as they seem too close.

28, 32 and 36 weeks are standard precautionary growth scans. If things begin to look concerning they’ll probably move you to fortnightly. Sounds like the 35 weeks is to discuss the findings and any impact on birth plan.

I’ve been told to do growth scans due to a previous mid term loss (which was at fourteen weeks), I’m currently 23+1 and the scans were booked a long time ago for weeks 28/32/36. In addition to this I’m getting consultant appointments which are roughly every 4 weeks but those only seem to be booked one at a time. I think sometimes the different departments get a bit confused because once I had consultant appointments with different consultants on consecutive weeks checking the same thing but actually I didn’t really mind as they show the baby on a scan every time so it was nice reassurance. I’ve been really happy with my care so far.

I’m sure mine were 28, 32, 36. Might be worth double checking whether you should have one at 28 weeks.

Consultant appointment may just be because you’re officially “consultant led” so you need an appointment with them to talk through the birth, even though you’ll still primarily be under the midwives.

Hi, This is all standard for BMI I had the same it's just a precaution. I was glad of them to be honest as my baby was transverse which would have been an emergency had I gone into labour early. The consultant appointment is routine your care will be consultant lead because of BMI so they will discuss concerns/plans with you re birth I think, mine was because I was having a c section and I needed to be given all the relevant info and sign forms etc. I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well. Congratulations.

As others have said, 32 and 36 weeks are normal dates for extra growth scans. I'm guessing 35 weeks is when the consultant wants to see you and they're thinking they might as well scan you then (and it means the consultant will get any new information), but I'd query with them whether you still need the 36 week one (if scans are less than two weeks apart they can't use them to see whether baby's grown anyway, because there's a level of uncertainty about the measurements). But they might want to check something else then (baby's position or something?)

Thanks everyone!

I'll give the hospital a call this week to see whether I should have one at 28 weeks. I just wish the hospital letters were better at explaining things 😅

My trust gives everyone a growth scan at 36 weeks. I have two additional growth scans at 27 and 31 weeks and a follow up appointment with my obstetrician for each one.

The extra appointment is possibly to discuss the results but best to ring and check.

Hi, I would like to know i notice you speak regarding getting your antenal scan and having to pay. How many scans were you offered at your appointments? I was offered two can I get more for free? Does both of your antenatal scans show the information on both scans or do I request that the information be printed all on of my scans for my family and friends? They should just believe me right even if the information regarding the hospital date my name or name of hospital doesn’t appear on the printed scan. Am I the only one who had this issue of receiving a scan with no information printed on it??